Sophisticated Woman Magazine
By Women. For Women. Inspiring Women.
Publisher Barbara Edwards Doyle
Editor Maureen O'Brien
Graphic Design Chris Gracia, Emily Haik, Brad Growden, Michelle Plaisance-Billiot
Contributing Writers Heidi Heyns, Sandra Scalise Juneau, Lexi St. Laurent Hartmann, Erin M. Cowser, Kim Bergeron
Account Executives Michelle Plaisance-Billiot, Maureen O'Brien, Linda Larkin, Katie Chabreck, Daphne Misuraca
Contributing Photographers
Linda Larkin, Michelle Plaisance-Billiot, Alyssa
Arnold Photography, Paige Henderson, Donna Sivori Donahoe, Cherie Naquin, Kim Bergeron
Distribution Manager Anthony Figaro
Distribution for Rouses Danny Sunseri
Cover Photography
Chuck Billiot
Sophisticated Woman Magazine
200 Greenleaves Boulevard, Unit 4 Mandeville, LA 70448
Phone: 985-893-7350
e-mail: barbara@sophisticatedwoman.com website: SophisticatedWoman.com
©2025 Sophisticated Woman Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. Views expressed are not necessarily shared by the publisher or staff of this publication. Please mail comments or submit articles and photographs to the above address.
Distribution— Mailed distribution to targeted affluent homes and delivers to upscale businesses and homes throughout St.Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes and the southshore. Issues are also available at area Rouses Markets, Barnes & Noble, and local businesses.
Contact us today. You’ll be surprised at how affordable it is to advertise with the Northshore's Best.
If you wish to be mailed a one year subscription for $19.95, please email barbara@Sophisticatedwoman.com.
Look for The Northshore's Best in April. See who is voted the BEST in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa.
Contributors
Sandra Scalise Juneau A native Louisianian and resident of Madisonville, Sandra Scalise Juneau is a journalist focusing on local history, cuisine, and culture. Her book, Celebrating with St. Joseph Altars, published by LSU Press in March 2021 has received nationwide acclaim and is now in second printing.
Erin Cowser is a collaboration, communications, and legislative affairs strategist with experience in the higher education, non-profit and government sectors. She serves on the boards of several organizations and philanthropies. Writing is the creative escape for this Tangipahoa resident whose most important role will always be mom of Eliza Kate.
Heidi Heyns,a globe-trotting journalist and voice talent, weaves verbal fun from Hong Kong to California. Her writing and radio narratives, rich with emotion and humor, capture life's zest from beneath her signature cowboy hat.
Paige Henderson is a portrait photographer located in Mandeville, Louisiana. She was born in New Orleans but relocated to Indonesia at age 8. Her exposure to different cultures has been a driving force and inspiration in her portraiture. Paige is married to Steve Henderson, and is the mother of 4 now adult humans, Davin, Stevie, Jack and Rex.
Here we go guys and gals into some of the most beautiful weather all year! This March we do not just have St. Patrick’s Day parades to look forward to, but we will be having Mardi Gras parades as well. I love when the carnival season goes into March. It usually makes for warmer temperatures, which makes the parades even that more enjoyable.
March is also the month when we start looking forward to the sprouting of new buds and the expectations of nature’s renewal, but keep in mind that March can be a very fickle month. While March is usually the start of warmer weather, we have had a few of those late (unwelcomed) winter days. In fact, I can remember one year when we were caught completely off guard. My husband and I were out for an evening at the Biloxi Belle Casino, and while we were sitting there playing some Blackjack, someone yelled out, "It is snowing!" What a shock to all there. That night it was a little dicey getting back home. So, I guess the best rule of thumb is to not pack up all the winter coats yet. My hope is, that we will not need them.
Barbara Edwards Doyle
A Healer’s Heart
For as long as she can remember, Ashley Hoffpauir has wanted to be a nurse. She fondly recalls visiting her grandparents’ home when her mother provided care for the aging couple. As she got older, Ashley assisted her mother, providing additional TLC. She deeply believed that caregiving was the ultimate form of love.
In 2006, after Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home in St. Bernard Parish, Ashley and her family moved to Slidell. Then the young lady who fell in love with caregiving opted to pursue her passion at Our Lady of Holy Cross (now University of Holy Cross) on the West Bank of New Orleans. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 2010. A year later, she married Carl Hoffpauir, and the couple now share two children, Addison and “Little Carl.”
In April of 2012, Ashley joined the team at Slidell Memorial Hospital, serving as a bedside RN in the intensive care unit. She felt fortunate to have a registered nurse colleague, Jody Campo, take her under his wing.
“He became an amazing mentor who taught
me so much” she says. “The guidance and wisdom he provided has had so much impact on my career and my personal life, so now I am trying to pay it forward.”
In December of 2024, Ashley was promoted to the position of ICU Charge Nurse in Slidell Memorial’s new Surgical Services and Patient Care Tower. It’s a role she has embraced with a combination of childlike wonder and nursing expertise, gleefully sharing information about all that the facility has to offer.
The $52 million project was funded in part by a $23 million bond renewal overwhelmingly supported by voters in 2021, and the new tower welcomed its first patients in September of 2024. The three-story, 61,028-square-foot facility marks the largest expansion in the not-for-profit hospital’s history since it first opened its doors in 1959.
“Everything in this facility has been designed and structured to make the patient experience so much better,” she says enthusiastically. “And it also makes our jobs, as caregivers, much easier. It’s fantastic.”
Ashley Hoffpauir,
RN
WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIM BERGERON
The Intensive Care Unit on the first floor, which Ashley oversees, includes 12 critical care rooms with a multitude of high-tech features. Among her favorites is the large EPIC digital monitor in each room, which enables the care team to pull up and share patients’ charts and imaging test results. Virtual-assisted care capabilities make it easy for patients and providers to connect and consult electronically as needed. The electronic boards also provide patients with continually-updated details about their ongoing care, including the names of their physicians and nurses, plus schedules for upcoming tests and medications.
Each of the rooms include negative pressure technology designed to safeguard patients, their families and staff from airborne viruses, should that need arise. Additionally, every patient is equipped with a portable monitor for continuous connections with caregivers. Several of the suites feature motorized Hoyer lifts which can safely transport patients from their beds to their private bathrooms as needed. Lastly, in-room dialysis capabilities enable patients to receive treatment in the comfort of their suite.
Ashley says that collectively, the ICU unit offers unsurpassed patient care, with every feature and the overall design carefully planned. Slidell Memorial, alongside its partner, Ochsner Health, masterfully orchestrated the technology to provide the ultimate patient education, care and comfort.
“And that’s just the first floor” she exclaims. “But there’s so much more!”
The second floor is home to seven state-ofthe-art operating suites equipped with specialized air flow and unique sterile instrument processing capabilities to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. The surgical suite generating the most community buzz is the one
which houses the acclaimed Intuitive da Vinci 5® robotic surgery system. This cutting-edge technology offers superior control and ergonomics with immersive 3D imaging, enabling surgeons to perform minimally-invasive procedures with extraordinary precision and control that greatly exceeds the capabilities of traditional surgery. What results are smaller incisions, less stress on surrounding tissue, reduced post-operative pain and quicker recovery time.
Rounding out the new tower is the third floor, which serves as the medical and surgical unit, with 26 private patient care rooms. As is the case with the first floor ICU, all of the rooms are equipped with virtual-assisted care capabilities and negative pressure technology.
“It’s almost unheard of for a small community hospital to be able to offer all of this technology to our patients,” says Ashley. “I am so proud to be part of the team providing this transformative care!”
What she finds most rewarding are the community connections, saying that often times,
she’s providing care for people she knows, or people who know someone she knows. It’s the small town, big heart effect.
“Just being able to help people through life’s challenging times is so fulfilling,” she says. “Sure, at times it can get tough, but then there’s always that moment, sometimes even a little thing, that hits you, and you remember your ‘Why’—why it is you love what you do. And in that moment, you celebrate the blessing of a caregiver’s heart. And it’s really special.”
Mandeville FashionShow
Photography by Bellus Photography
by Alyssa Arnold Photography
Photography
Photography by Donna Sivori Donahoe
These fashions and more can be found at these local shops:
• Royal Peacock
• Fashion 4 Kids
• MSB Fit
• Blu Magnolia
• Apricot Lane
• Jolie and Jax
• Dodge City
• Design by D
• Petite and Me
• Disco Lemonade
• Mel’s Crochet
• Designing You
• Silly Girl Rock
Budding Artist
Nothing against nursing. And teaching is certainly a noble profession. While it is reported that 26% of young women say they want to become either nurses or teachers, Giuliana Mandina isn’t one of them. For her it has always, always been about becoming an artist. Her mom has the 1st Day of School chalkboards to prove it.
“Ever since she’s been old enough to hold a brush in her hand, she’s wanted to be an artist,” says mom, Christy Bacon Mandina. “She was 3 when she created what I consider her first real piece of artwork. We later submitted it as her sample piece when she was applying for and accepted into the Talented Art program at school.”
Now, at the ripe age of 11 (no surprise that she celebrated her January birthday
11-year-old Giuliana reaching for artist dreams
with a private art lesson sleepover), Giuliana is achieving her dream. She is a junior intern at Angelle Victoria Studio in Mandeville and was recently asked to show her artwork at Fifth World Gallery in Long Beach, Mississippi. She can also be found at The Market Munchkins, which is an all-kids craft/farmers market held twice a year in Madisonville.
“I’m super proud of my little prodigy,” says Angelle Jeansonne of Angelle Victoria Studio. “She is
simply amazing.”
Giuliana’s artistic pursuits and visiting galleries introduced her to painting, clay and resin. A desk is allotted to each in her home studio, which is her dedicated creative space filled with abundant art supplies. When asked about her favorite, she points to resin and clay work with flowers as her preferred medium.
It was those flower pieces that caught the attention of Nora Childers, owner of Fifth World Gallery. You’ll
WRITTEN BY ERIN M. COWSER
find lilies, roses, magnolias and bouquets among her signature pieces.
“I was asked to display and sell my art in October. I submitted my pieces and signed my first contract in November. I sold my first piece the very next month!” says the Tchefuncte Middle School fifth grader. “It was a piece featuring two 3D magnolias.” She has since completed her first commissioned work as an artist, too.
Giuliana says she sees things in nature or while out and about shopping and is drawn to re-creating them. In addition to her 3D portfolio of flower pieces she uses resin to create art with nods to geodes.
“I look at what I think will be the most beautiful, and make it,” she says. “I’m a crystal collector and get ideas from their movement and patterns, different rings and color combinations.”
Inspiration is the easy part of the creative process, she adds. It’s the next few steps that can be a bit tricky. “You have to combine the resin and the hardener exactly in equal parts. If you don't, it will get sticky, but won’t
harden so you can’t use it,” she says. “Resin has a mind of its own sometimes. You have to learn to let it be the resins’ choice.”
Giuliana’s artistic outlook is a family tradition, having great-grandmothers and grandmas who themselves were artists and painters of ceramics. Christy, an avid crafter herself, says she couldn’t wait for her daughter to be old enough to start crafting with her. Giuliana’s little sister Malia (4 years old) is starting to get into crafting, too.
Last year, the Mandinas came across a Mardi Gras bead dog designed with ball pit balls and decided to create their own version. This called for experimenting with different types of adhesives and finding the perfect finishing touches to put on their bead dogs.
“After promoting them on our neighborhood Facebook page, we sold out in less than a week!” Giuliana says proudly.
When not creating art for enjoyment or enterprise, you’ll find Giuliana in the kitchen cooking or at the dance studio where she’s taken dance for the past nine years.
“I like to make silly movies with my friends. And I just joined the Beta Club at my school, too,” says the budding artist who is well on her way to achieving. “But most of all, art is the biggest piece of who I am.”
St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services
31078 Highway 36, Lacombe, LA. 70445 p: (985) 871-4513 e: hmbeebe@stpgov.org www.stpgov.org
St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services
At a shelter in the woods of St. Tammany Parish, there were oodles and poodles of love on Valentine’s Day. Or rather, Palentine’s Day! St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services put on an adoption special to help the homeless cats and dogs find their ‘furever’ homes. Adoption fees were halved from the beginning of February through Valentine’s Day, hoping to entice animal lovers to visit the shelter and rescue their new loveable pal.
Of those available for adoption, a special few had the privilege of being photographed with ‘Shots By Shelby’ - who is one of the shelter’s own multi-talented staff members. Featured is Pepperoni (A119271), an eleven-month-old Labrador Retriever and Pit Bull mix, who is the longest available canine resident at the shelter. He has been patiently waiting to be adopted since being surrendered last June. Another pup, Oreo (A120534), is only ten months old and was found as a stray last October. His sweet face and personality is complimented by energetic playfulness. Both of these puppies would thrive if they were to get the chance to transition to relaxing home life! Of Animal Service’s cats, there were two Palentine special spotlights: Cindy (A120049) & Suzanna (A121475). Both are about one year old and are searching for the purr-fect lap for a cat nap! Cindy has been making the most of her stay at the shelter in the cat cabin, being social and snoozing away on the tower. Suzanna requires a caring, loving home, as she is FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) Positive. There is no cure, but cats with this diagnosis can live very normal, healthy lives with proper management. Suzanna is a petite love bug who will steal your heart! All four would be smitten to have someone ‘whisker’ them away as soon as paws-ible!
St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services strives to provide the highest standard of care to all of their animals. Their secret to success is the community that stands behind them. All the animals and staff are grateful for the support they receive each and every day. Thank you, St. Tammany and all supporters!”
Suzanna
Oreo
Pepperoni
Cindy
BGR Breakfast Panel
The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR), a good government group serving the New Orleans metro area, held a Tuesday discussion on St. Tammany’s economic future. About 100 people attended the panel, which was sponsored by First Horizon Bank and held at Hornbeck Offshore Services in Covington.
BGR President and CEO Rebecca Mowbray led off the discussion between St. Tammany Parish President Michael Cooper, St. Tammany Corporation President Christopher Masingill and public policy researcher Robert Habans.
“St. Tammany has continued to grow its economy in the two decades since Hurricane Katrina,” Mowbray said. “With more businesses and jobs available today, fewer residents need to make the daily commute to work in other parishes.”
Habans, who worked as the chief economist at The Data Center, highlighted the parish’s recent economic and population trends and explained what might happen going forward.
“If you look at the state as a whole, Louisiana basically has added no new jobs since 2014,” Habans said. “A lot of St. Tammany’s economic strengths, a lot of its growth, has come from its population growth.”
Other points of the conversation focused on how the parish could draw in new investment while managing growth impacts on residents.
The full panel discussion is available now on BGR’s website. Please navigate to www.bgr.org/ st-tammany-economic-growth-bgr-february-11breakfast-briefing/
Setting the Captives Free
"If you missed Free NOLA's Love & Roses Totally 80s fundraising bash on January 18, 2025 at the Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville, you missed an awesome time. Maggie, our guest speaker this year, brought the house down with her testimony about how she remembered for years Free NOLA ministered to her and brought her roses. She is now living a healthy life in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area and is keeping in touch with Diane at Free NOLA. We had many silent and live auction items, including another live auction painting. To top off the night, there was a regular 80s dance party and plenty of fun mingling!! If you missed this year's event, keep your eyes open for our next event, and plan to join us then!!"
As a local attorney, business owner, and former chairman of the Republican Party in St. Tammany, I've spent years fighting for responsible governance and fiscal accountability. It's not every day that I see a ballot measure that truly respects the will of the taxpayers- but this one does. I urge you to vote YES, for a safer, more secure St. Tammany.
On March 29, we in St. Tammany Parish will have a chance to secure critical public safety and infrastructure funding without increasing our sales tax rate. The upcoming proposition simply renews and extends the current sales tax rate for another 25 years while restructuring how those dollars are allocated. For a long time, we have enjoyed being a safe place to raise our families, but that is now being threaten. If we are unable to fund our justice system and jail in our parish, we will not be able to bring to justice the criminals that our law enforcement arrests, and thus they will
Josh Allison A Smarter Approach to Funding Our Parish's Future
be back out on the street to offend again. These are just some examples of the issues that force our local officials to repeatedly ask for tax hikes to cover essential projects.
This proposition finally puts an end to that cycle. This proposition will afford us long-term financial stability for the things that matter most:
Public Safety - Fully funding law enforcement and public safety agencies, so they have the resources to protect our families.
Infrastructure - Directing revenue toward long-term road, traffic, and drainage improvements instead of short-term fixes.
Economic Growth - Providing a stable financial plan that encourages smart development and maintains St. Tammany's reputation as a great place to live and do business.
Let me be clear: this Is not a new tax. It simply locks in the current rate and prevents future increases, so we can meet our community’s needs without burdening taxpayers.
What kind of future do we want for this beautiful parish of ours? Do we want a future where our roads, drainage and public safety agencies get the funding they need - without any new taxes? I'm voting yes because I believe in fiscal responsibility. I believe in funding what matters most without raising taxes. And I believe in keeping St Tammany strong for generations to come.
Join me. Vote YES on March 29.
Josh Allison Covington Attorney &
Joshua D. Allison, A Professional Law Corporation has offices at 207 E. Gibson Street in Covington, 506 Water Street in Madisonville and 1203 Main Street in Franklinton. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 985-302-5630 or visit allisonlawcorp.com. LA-24-17730
Josh Allison is a Covington based attorney, licensed to practice law in all state and federal courts in Louisiana including the Federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. He is an active member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the 22nd JDC Bar Association. His practice areas consist of business litigation, family law litigation, and personal injury litigation.
Business Owner
Slidell Joins the Womenship Movement
WRITTEN BY LEXI ST. LAURENT HARTMANN PHOTOS BY CHERIE NAQUIN
On February 12, dozens of women dressed in their best Mob Wives attire filled The Sadie Jane to celebrate the official launch of EmpowerHER Life's newest branch in Slidell. The energy was palpable as attendees mingled, snapped photos, and danced, all while connecting over food and drinks from The Sadie Jane and a delicious cake from Dolce Amore Bakery.
Hosted by life coach and Slidell Leadership Team member Ashlie Price, alongside EmpowerHER Life Founder and CEO Desi Allums, the evening marked another milestone in the organization's rapid expansion across Louisiana.
Unlike traditional women's groups that focus on networking, EmpowerHER Life stands firmly in its own category as a personal and professional development company. The distinction is intentional and foundational to its mission.
"We are not a networking organization," Allums states definitively. "While connections naturally form, our focus begins with creating a space where women can genuinely invest in themselves and their growth."
This philosophy—that personal growth serves as the foundation for everything else—has propelled EmpowerHER Life from a fledgling idea to the region's fastest-growing women's organization in less than two years.
The Slidell launch represents more than just geographic expansion; it's another chapter in what Allums calls “The Womenship Movement,” a concept that has taken root throughout the Louisiana Northshore and beyond.
"Womenship is about recognizing
that when one woman embraces her journey of self-discovery and empowerment, she lifts everyone around her," says Allums. "It's the understanding that we deserve to be number one in our own stories."
This mindset has resonated deeply with women who are ready to put in the work required for meaningful transformation. EmpowerHER Life attracts those who prioritize self-development, have a growth mindset, and understand that investing in themselves is the foundation for success in all areas of life.
At EmpowerHER Life events— whether virtual sessions on topics like public speaking, goal-setting, and revenue generation, or in-person gatherings like the Slidell launch—the emphasis remains consistent: do the internal work first, and the external connections will naturally follow.
As the evening at The Sadie Jane wound down, many attendees lingered, exchanging cell phone numbers instead of business cards, and making plans to attend upcoming events. The scene perfectly illustrated what makes the organization unique—women forming authentic bonds based on a shared commitment to showing up for themselves in pursuit of growth.
With branches now in Houma, Slidell, and the Louisiana Northshore—and New Orleans and Baton Rouge slated for 2025—EmpowerHER Life continues to create spaces where women can prioritize their personal transformation first and foremost.
As members invest in their own development, they experience the ripple effects that naturally follow:
EmpowerHER Life Expands
business growth accelerates, community forms organically, and connections deepen in ways that traditional networking could never facilitate. This inside-out approach is what distinguishes EmpowerHER Life in a landscape of women's organizations.
“True empowerment isn’t given—it’s claimed. It starts with self-love and owning your worth” Allums reminds us. “When you fully embrace that journey, you don’t just change your own life—you ignite a ripple effect that transforms everyone around you.”
For women in Slidell and the surrounding areas, that journey now has a home base. And if the launch party was any indication, the Womenship Movement is just getting started.
For more information on EmpowerHER Life, visit https://empowerherlife.network
James “Jim” Campbell
FASCINATION
WITH LOUISIANA’S TREASURESCAMELLIAS AND AZALEAS
Growing up during the 1940s, his world was colored by the lush landscapes along New Orleans’ bayous and boulevards abloom with each season’s spectacle. But it was during his ninth year on a family holiday visit that James “Jim” Campbell was first introduced to a Louisiana treasure, one that piqued his curiosity into a lifelong passion for our native flora. At the home of his Uncle Henry Vasterling, he became fascinated by an arrangement in a glass bowl of exotic looking purple blossoms. His uncle, a member of the New Orleans Men’s Camellia Society, said that the Camellia Japonica, known as the “Purple Dawn” was his favorite, and he had cultivated that particular variety in the hopes of entering it as a winning competitor in camellia shows. According to Campbell, “I wasn’t even a teenager when he would take me outside to show me his camellias.” There Campbell was introduced to the intricacies of grafting camellias, and continues, “The thing is, he had dozens of bushes but just one kind of camellia, the Purple Dawn. His goal was to have the biggest, best, most beautiful Purple Dawn blooms anywhere.”
It was Jim’s education at Tulane University’s School of Architecture, through his work with the U.S. Historical American Building Society, where his appreciation for historical preservation introduced him not only to a superb local collection of ageless architectural gems - both residences and commercial sites, but also to the treasure trove of exquisite gardens that surrounded those properties. In many cases, years of inattention had left those gardens fallow. Yet Jim noticed that despite neglect those ancient bushes and trees were sustained, and their hardiness had kept them alive. Through his designs of residences, schools and hospitals, examples of Campbell’s architectural works abound across Louisiana. Throughout his career, his appreciation for
'Martha Hitchcock' evergreen azalea
camellias and azaleas continued to flourish. But it was after the 2004 retirement of his practice of architecture that his true avocation began. He then traveled the world, seeking out specific varieties of camellias in exquisitely designed Asian gardens in China and Japan, and in Italy, Switzerland and Germany.
For over fifty years Campbell propagated camellias through the artistry of his grafting techniques on his home property in Covington. “My property consists of 17 acres with frontage on the Bogue Falaya River.” He further explains, “I have 1,200 varieties on my land. Thanks in part to the friendship I formed with the late Hody Wilson, former Director of the Hammond Research Station. He showed me how to grow them when I first moved to this side of the lake in the 1960s.”
A Louisiana Master Gardener, Jim Campbell is a Life Member of the American Camellia Society, has served as President, Vice President, Board Member and as the Louisiana State Director. He is currently a Member of the ACS Trust, which oversees the assets of over $12 Million.
The Northshore Camellia Club was founded in 2006 and Jim Campbell serves
as the President. He is proud to report that the club now numbers over 100 members.
His goal is to engage young members, mentoring them, while showing them, step-bystep, “How easy it is to grow camellias.” And adds, “I have many tips for grafting, and I will gladly teach anyone my method and
answer any of their questions.”
Additionally, Campbell is a member of the Azalea Society of America, is President of the Louisiana Chapter and serves on the National Board of Directors. As a Founding Member of the Wild Ones Pontchartrain Basin Society, he has served on their Board of Directors. Having competed in numerous Camellia Shows and having been an accredited judge for over twenty years, Campbell states, “I have won many awards at Camellia Shows. But my proudest moment was at my first Camellia Show when I entered my first bloom and won for the Best Pink Perfection. (You could have not bought me for a Million Dollars)”
Through the years of his growing camellias and azaleas, Campbell has assisted countless gardeners, both novice and accomplished in propagating native and other species of both flowering plants. He explains, “I have been growing Camellias for over 56 years. The Oldest plant is Big
Japanese Magnolia
Beauty, a japonica planted 54 years ago, with a total of over 1500 varieties in my collection.” For several years, Campbell provided many of those varieties through his nursery, called Riverside Camellias, which was closed in 2005. He further explains, “You can propagate camellias by rooting cuttings and grafting. But when they grow from seed, you really don’t know what you’re going to get. Every now and then, one of the plants puts out a beautiful bloom.”
Campbell is most proud of his work on behalf of our Louisiana flora, and assisted in the restoration of the gardens at the Hammond Research Station, planted by former Director, Hoda Wilson, who cultivated a spectacular camellia garden at the station. “We had worked in teams to restore those magnificent gardens, but after destruction by Hurricanes Katrina and Ida, the flowering gardens were repurposed for growing vegetables.”
For the past ten years, Campbell has worked with the Jungle Gardens at Avery Island to re-identify the thousands of camellias within the 175 acre site. He explains, “Those gardens were planted over seven decades ago by Edward Avery “Ned” McIlhenny to showcase our Louisiana treasures, including many exquisite varieties of camellia plants.” Each variety was identified with a marker. Several generations later, a member of the McIlhenny family, in order to discourage vandalism (individuals were helping themselves to cuttings from those camellia bushes), she decided to remove all of the identifying markers. As Campbell states, “It is an ongoing, almost endless process to re-identify those venerable camellias.”
Excited about the future, Campbell pointed out that, through agricultural research by the British company, Camellia Agricultural Research Services Ltd., studies are underway to produce camellias which will have a summertime bloom, can be genetically engineered to produce blooms in shades of yellow, and with ongoing experimentation for producing various camellia fragrances. And, Jim Campbell says, “With our Louisiana treasures, there is always something new.”
'Snow' evergreen azalea
Souvenir de Bahuad Litou' camellia japonica
'Nuccio's Bella Rossa' camellia japonica
Higo camellia japonica
'Radiant Red' deciduous azalea Aromi Hybrid
Planning for Aging
As we age, we face a unique set of legal, health, and financial challenges in Louisiana. Elder law planning addresses the specific needs of seniors including estate planning, Medicaid planning, long-term care, guardianship, and elder abuse prevention. For example, estate planning most often involves Last Wills or Trusts with Powers of attorney to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and to help your heirs and beneficiaries avoid long delays caused by probate and legal challenges, such as a guardianship proceeding. Proper powers of attorney are instrumental in making sure your medical preferences are respected, and that a trusted agent can continue to handle your financial and legal affairs in the event of physical or mental incapacity.
Seniors should also begin to plan for long-term care needs by developing strategies to qualify for necessary medical benefits while preserving assets for loved ones. Families can also begin to consider all long-term care options, including nursing home care, assisted living, and home care to facilitate this transition process when the time comes. In some cases, where prior planning was not accomplished, and seniors become unable to make decisions for themselves, a guardianship or conservatorship might be necessary to protect your loved one’s interests.
Failure to obtain this guidance and create a comprehensive plan to effectively addresses these challenges means your wishes may not be fulfilled at the time you most need them. But, planning for the aging process can instead empower you to receive the care and protection your deserve during your golden years.
Christie Tournet
Christie Tournet & Associates, LLC
985-951-2177 • christie@tournetlaw.com
A Growing Cultural Legacy in Louisiana’s North Shore
The Abita Springs International Film Festival
WRITTEN BY HEIDI HEYNS
In its two years, the Abita Springs International Film Festival (ASIFF) has already emerged as a promising cultural event, offering a platform for filmmakers to share diverse and impactful stories. While still in its early stages, ASIFF has already drawn films with international recognition, including entries from Sundance, i-Fest International Film Festival (Italy), and the 36 Girona Film Festival (Spain).
And, like any young festival, its future depends on community engagement and support. As ASIFF works to establish itself, the festival board and organizers are grappling with the growing pains of building an event that can endure for years to come.
A Festival Rooted in Community and Storytelling
Unlike major film festivals backed by hefty corporate sponsorships and large production companies, ASIFF was born out of passion
and grassroots efforts. The festival’s founders, Sheridan Philipp, Evette Randolph, and Fiona McQuinn, envisioned a space where local, national, and international filmmakers could connect with audiences in a setting that values storytelling, creativity, and culture.
This year’s theme, “Indigenous Voices,” was a powerful example of the festival’s commitment to showcasing underrepresented narratives. The festival opened with Mariah Hernandez-Fitch’s film, “Ekbeh”, an official selection of Sundance 2024, which tells the story of a chef reconnecting with her Houma Nation heritage through food. Another standout was “ISHAK,” directed by Maaliyah Papillion, exploring the journey of rediscovering and preserving sacred traditions.
In addition to screenings, the festival featured live performances from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, drawing audiences into their social dances, including the
“Stealing Partners Dance.” The presence of storyteller Greyhawk Perkins, a respected voice in Louisiana’s Native American communities, reinforced the festival’s mission of preserving cultural history through film and performance.
Award-Winning Films and Notable Moments
With over 40 film submissions from eight countries, ASIFF continues to expand its reach. This year’s Best of the Fest honor went to “Dirty Dogs,” a documentary chronicling the fall of the Lucky Dog monopoly in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The film’s victory came with valuable industry support, including equipment rental packages totaling over $12,000 from Magnolia Studios (formerly Quixote Studios) and Keslow Cameras.
Additional Award Winners:
• Best Documentary Short: “Unleashed: A Love Letter to Survivors”
• Best Documentary Feature: “Dirty Dogs”
• Best Narrative Short: “A Touch of Magic”
• Best Experimental Film: “Broad”
• Best Louisiana Film: “Wasted: Over-tourism in the French Quarter”
• Best Screenplay: “The Great Davini”
• Best Cinematography: “Claimant”
• Best Director: Jannet Lopez & Carlos Jimenez for “Emma’s Social Battery”
• Best Actor: Lance Nichols for “A Touch of Magic”
• Best Actress: Ann Mahoney for “Pretty Bird”
Honorable Mentions:
• “The Book Club”
• “Pretty Bird”
• “Memories of Tomorrow”
• “The Esteemed Priority”
A Space for Filmmakers and the Future of ASIFF
ASIFF’s commitment to fostering local talent and industry connections was evident in its actors’ panel, featuring Billy Slaughter, Ann Mahoney, Britton Webb, and Greyhawk Perkins, who shared their experiences navigating the film industry. The filmmakers’ panel explored the future of filmmaking in Louisiana, with discussions on AI’s role in storytelling and the state’s evolving film landscape.
The festival’s 7in7 Film Competition, which challenges local filmmakers to create a seven-minute film in seven days, produced this year’s winner, “Man From Bandera,” a Western set against the backdrop of the Abita Springs Trailhead Park.
Why ASIFF Needs Community Support to Grow
For ASIFF to continue thriving, the North Shore community must recognize its value beyond a weekend event. Film festivals are economic drivers, attracting tourism, generating revenue for local businesses, and putting small towns on the cultural map. The festival has already made strides in increasing its attendance and online following, but volunteer support, funding, and local engagement remain crucial.
Unlike film festivals in large metropolitan areas, ASIFF relies on the commitment of local artists, businesses, and film lovers to sustain its vision. The North Shore has the opportunity to grow ASIFF into a signature cultural event, elevating Louisiana filmmakers while also bringing international storytelling to the region.
If ASIFF continues to gain momentum, it could become the film festival for Louisiana, much like how Sundance transformed Park City, Utah into an essential film destination. The North Shore community now has a choice—embrace this festival and help it flourish, or risk letting an incredible artistic and cultural opportunity slip away.
How to Get Involved
Those interested in supporting ASIFF can visit www. abitafilmfest.org to learn more about attending, volunteering, or contributing to next year’s festival on January 17-18, 2026.
I want to quickly interject here a note of gratitude and appreciation for the new owners of Oliver & Cecile Lodging & Lounge, (formerly the Blue Willow Bed & Breakfast) in downtown Covington.
They offered sophisticated Woman magazine a beautifully appointed room for the duration of the festival.
Lucky for me! I’m sure that without their incomparable personal service, attention to detail and customer care, I would likely not have been able to complete the coverage of the Festival.
I developed a terrible flu on the first night and had to leave early. They brought homemade chicken noodle soup up to my room. They made soothing hot tea available.
I say that had it not been for Ryan Scontrino and his partner Derek of the incredible Oliver & Cecile Lodging and Lounge, this story would be nonexistent.
Ribbon Cuttings
Tangipahoa Chamber Cox Accounting Services, LLC
St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Children’s Museum of St. Tammany
Scholarship Winner
The 7th Annual Dr. Billy Michal Scholarship Award winner Reese Arledge with Dr. Todd Brasuell.
Krewe of Selene Patrice Volante and Amy Donarski
Krewe of Antheia Queen Rosemary Clement of the Krewe of Antheia.
Krewe of Selene Queen Taylor Caywood, Oakland Caywood and Captain Traci Plaisance.
Historic Harbor Field Councilman Jason Zuckerman, Councilwoman Cynthia StrongThompson, Mayor Madden and Councilman Scott Discon
Rotary Club of Slidell Guest speaker Billy Nungesser at the Rotary Club of Slidell.
March Calendar
4th
The Krewe of Chahta
Parade Rolls at 1pm. Starts near Oaklawn Dr. and follows US 190 in Lacombe.
4th
The Krewe of Bogue Falaya and Krewe of Covington Lions Club
Parade begins at 10am
Starting at St.TammanyParish Justice Center, at the corner of Columbia and Jefferson.
4th
Carnival In Covington
Mardi Gras After Party
Covington keeps the party going with dancing, food and drink truck on site.Located at:Trailhead Museum and Visitors Center Free1-4pm Free 419 N.New Hampshire St.
6th,7th,8th
Ponchatoula Antique Trade Days & Craft Fair
Sponsored by the Ponchtoula Chamber of Commerce
Reoccuring event the first week of the month. Nov. 9am-5pm 100 W Pine at the downtown commuter parking lot.
7th,8th,9th
Ozone Layers Quilt Guild
Presents: Life’s a Stitch
There will be over a 100 quilts made by our members. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. 11am-4pm Abita Springs Town Hall, 22161Level St.
8th
The Rotary Club of Slidell Brings: The Magic of Reading
Enjoy free drinks, snacks and entertainment featuring “Magician Mike.” 11am-2pm at Aldersgsate Methodist Church, John Wesley Center, 360 Robert Blvd., Slidell
8th
The 41st St. Patrick’s Parade
Ponchatula Krewe of Erin
The Northshores oldest wolking parade. This year's theme: Celtic Myths and Legends. 10:30am The parade starts at 8th & Oak St. Ending at Pine & 5th
9th
Rotary Club of Hommond
Presents: Bill Evens Jazz Brunch
1106 South Holly St.,Hammond 1pm-3pm, doors open at noon, Individual tickets 25$ For more information visit: HammondRotary.com or call: 985-634-6273
9th
Mardi Paws Parade
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Parade rolls at 2-5pm, Registration at 12:30pm registration fee $25 per dog. Free to the public. Line up on N.Columbia and E. Kirkland in Covington for more information visit: MardiPaws.com
9th
St. Patrick’s Parade Slidell
1-5 pm. 49th anual Slidell Olde Towne Merchant Association invites all to join in the fun. The parade starts and ends city hall, traveling to Fremaux.
14th,15th,16th
Amite Oyster Festival
Join us fro three days of food, music, rides and much more! Friday 5pm-Midnight. Saturday10am-11pm. Sunday 10am-6pm N.E. Central Ave. & E.Mulberry St.
15th
The Krewe Du Pooch
Free, furry family members are welcome! Festivities begin10:30am-3pm Parade typically starts around noon at Mandeville Lakefront, Lakeshore Dr. For more information visit: KreweDuPooch.Com
15th
Covington Celtic Club
St. Patrick’s Parade
12pm Parade stats at The Columbia TapRoom, Covington
Please Note: All calendar events are subject to change. Call or visit websites for any updated information.
29th,30th
The 44th Annual Olde Towne Slidell Spring Street Fair
10am- 5pm First, Second & Erlanger St. in Olde Towne Slidell. For more information visit: SlidellStreetFair.com
29th
The 15th Annunal “A Crawfish Cookin’ for a Cause
1545 Lakeshore Dr. Mandeville Fundraising event by, The Northshore Community Foundation for Local Charities. Enjoy loads of tasty crawfish and all the fixin’s as teams compete for bragging rights.11am-5pm $40 advance tickets $45-$50 at the gate, kids 10 and under free. For more information & advanced tickets visit: CrawfishCookinForACause.com or Call 985-893-8757
Weekly Markets
Every Wednesday
Covington Farmers Market 10am–2pm, Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire Street, Covington, CovingtonFarmersMarket.net
Every Thursday & Saturday
Lafitte Street Market 4–8pm Thursdays, 8am–Noon Saturdays, 698 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, facebook.com/LafitteStreetMarket
First & Third Saturday
Pearl River’s Honey Island Art & Farmers Market 2–6pm, year round. 64378 Highway 41, Pearl River, 985-640-5482 LouisianaLandCan.com
Every Saturday
The Giddy Up Market 9am–1pm (weather permitting) Giddy Up Folsom, Live Music from 10am-1pm 82292 LA-25, Folsom, 985- 7051091, GiddyUpGrounds.com
Camellia City Market 8am–Noon, rain or shine. 1808 Front Street, Slidell, 985-6407112, facebook.com/CamelliaCityMarket
Covington Farmers Market
8am–Noon, 609 N. Columbia Street on side lawn of the Covington Police Department, CovingtonFarmersMarket.net
Hammond Farmers Market 8am–Noon, corner of #2 W. Thomas Street and 106 N.W. Railroad Avenue, Downtown Hammond, 985-277-5683, dddhammond.com
Mandeville Trailhead Community Market
9am–1pm, Mandeville Trailhead 675 Lafitte St., Mandeville, 985-624-3147, CityofMandeville.com
Every Sunday
Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market
10am–2pm, Abita Trailhead, Drive-thru and pedestrian service, 985-892-0711 ext. 7, market@abitaspringsla.gov
Claiborne Place Makers Market
10am–2pm, Claiborne Place, 1000 US-190, Covington, facebook.com/ ClaibornePlaceMakersMarket
